Understanding God's True Nature: A Journey of Faith
Summary
Today, I embarked on a journey with our congregation to explore the foundational aspects of our faith, particularly focusing on understanding the true nature of God. We began our new series titled "Our Foundation," where we aim to delve into the basic principles that form the bedrock of our faith and church community.
In the initial part of the sermon, I invited everyone to visualize their personal perception of God. I posed several questions to help each person reflect deeply on how they see God—whether seated on a throne, walking, or standing, and what emotions or actions they associate with Him. This exercise was crucial as it set the stage for challenging and possibly reshaping our understanding based on biblical truths rather than personal or culturally influenced perceptions.
As we progressed, I shared three key scriptures where God describes Himself, emphasizing His nature as compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. These attributes are central to understanding who God is and how He interacts with us. The narrative of Moses asking to see God’s glory and God’s response by proclaiming His nature was particularly impactful. It highlighted that even after witnessing miraculous events, Moses sought a deeper understanding of God, which is something we are all called to pursue.
I also recounted a personal interaction with an atheist who had been hurt by the church in his youth. This story underscored the importance of continually seeking the true God and not the distorted images we or others may have formed. This individual's journey from active church participation to atheism due to personal hurt was a powerful reminder of the impact our understanding of God has on our faith journey.
Towards the end of the sermon, I emphasized the importance of not just knowing about God but experiencing Him in our lives. The story of the prodigal son was used to illustrate God’s nature vividly. The father’s reaction to his returning son—filled with compassion and eager to restore him—provides a clear picture of how God responds to us in our failures and repentance.
Finally, I encouraged everyone to keep diving into the Word to learn more about God. I stressed that our picture of God might not be complete and that there is always more to learn about His character, urging everyone to remain open to having their understanding of God transformed by Scripture.
Key Takeaways:
1. Visualizing God: Often, our mental image of God is shaped by cultural, familial, or personal influences that may not align with the biblical portrayal. It's essential to continually refine our understanding of God based on Scripture, ensuring our faith is built on a correct view of His character. This process involves introspection and willingness to adjust our perceptions. [46:12]
2. God's Self-Description: God describes Himself as compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. These characteristics are foundational to understanding His interactions with humanity. They challenge the common misconceptions that portray God as primarily angry or distant. [01:00:12]
3. The Importance of Personal Experience: Understanding God isn't just an intellectual exercise; it involves personal encounters and experiences with His presence in our lives. The story of the prodigal son is a vivid illustration of God’s readiness to forgive and embrace us in spite of our failures. [01:07:54]
4. Continuous Learning: Our journey with God is ongoing. Even seasoned believers need to remain students of the Word, open to learning and relearning who God is. This humility allows us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and helps prevent stagnation in our spiritual lives. [01:10:17]
5. Impact of Misunderstandings: Misconceptions about God can lead to significant consequences, including loss of faith, as illustrated by the story of the atheist who turned away from faith due to hurt and misunderstanding about God’s nature. It’s crucial to address and rectify wrong views of God within our communities. [01:11:21]
Chapters:
0:00 - Welcome
45:06 - Introduction to Our Foundation Series
46:12 - Visualizing God: An Interactive Reflection
01:00:12 - God Describes Himself: Compassion and Mercy
01:07:54 - The Prodigal Son: A Picture of God’s Nature
01:10:17 - Continuous Learning and Growth in Faith
01:11:21 - Addressing Misconceptions: The Story of an Atheist
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 34:6-7 - "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.'"
2. Luke 15:20-24 - "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate."
3. John 14:8-9 - "Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Exodus 34:6-7, what are the key attributes God uses to describe Himself?
2. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24), how does the father react when he sees his son returning?
3. What does Jesus say to Philip in John 14:8-9 about seeing the Father?
4. In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the impact of misconceptions about God? [01:10:48]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that God describes Himself as "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" in Exodus 34:6-7? How does this challenge common misconceptions about God? [01:00:12]
2. How does the father's reaction in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24) illustrate God's nature? What does this tell us about how God views repentance and forgiveness? [01:07:54]
3. What does Jesus' response to Philip in John 14:8-9 reveal about the relationship between Jesus and the Father? How does this help us understand God's character better? [01:05:38]
4. Reflecting on the pastor's story about the atheist, what can we learn about the importance of addressing and rectifying wrong views of God within our communities? [01:11:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own mental image of God. How has it been shaped by cultural, familial, or personal influences? What steps can you take to align your understanding of God more closely with the biblical portrayal? [46:12]
2. How can you incorporate the attributes of God described in Exodus 34:6-7 into your daily life and interactions with others? What specific actions can you take to reflect God's compassion, mercy, and steadfast love?
3. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How does the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24) encourage you to approach God in times of failure or repentance? [01:07:54]
4. Jesus said that seeing Him is the same as seeing the Father (John 14:8-9). How can you deepen your understanding of God by studying the life and teachings of Jesus? What specific passages or stories about Jesus can you focus on this week?
5. The pastor shared a story about an atheist who turned away from faith due to hurt and misunderstanding about God’s nature. How can you help others in your community who may have similar misconceptions about God? What practical steps can you take to support them? [01:11:21]
6. Continuous learning is essential in our faith journey. What are some ways you can remain a student of the Word and keep growing in your understanding of God? How can you incorporate regular Bible study into your routine? [01:10:17]
7. Misunderstandings about God can have significant consequences. How can you ensure that your understanding of God is based on Scripture and not on personal or cultural misconceptions? What resources or practices can help you in this process? [01:11:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Refining Our Vision of God
Often, our mental image of God is shaped by a mix of cultural, familial, or personal influences that may not accurately reflect His true nature as described in the Bible. It's crucial to continually refine this image, ensuring it aligns with the scriptural portrayal of God. This process involves deep introspection and a willingness to adjust our perceptions, which can be challenging but ultimately enriching. By engaging with Scripture, we can replace any misconceptions with a more accurate understanding, fostering a faith that is truly built on the solid foundation of God's character. [46:12]
Psalm 50:21: "These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you."
Reflection: Reflect on how your current perception of God might differ from the biblical description. What specific attributes might you need to reconsider?
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Day 2: Embracing God's True Nature
God describes Himself in Scripture as compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. These characteristics are foundational to understanding His interactions with humanity and challenge common misconceptions that portray God as primarily angry or distant. Recognizing these attributes helps us to see God more clearly and to relate to Him in a more meaningful way, fostering a deeper connection and trust in His benevolent nature. [01:00:12]
Exodus 34:6: "The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.'"
Reflection: How does understanding God as merciful and compassionate change the way you approach Him in prayer or in times of need?
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Day 3: Experiencing God Personally
Understanding God isn't just an intellectual exercise; it involves personal encounters and experiences with His presence in our lives. The story of the prodigal son vividly illustrates God’s readiness to forgive and embrace us in spite of our failures. This narrative encourages us to approach God with confidence, knowing that He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms, no matter how far we have strayed. [01:07:54]
Luke 15:20: "And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."
Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you experienced God's forgiveness and compassion firsthand? How did that encounter impact your relationship with Him?
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Day 4: Lifelong Learning with God
Our journey with God is ongoing, and even seasoned believers need to remain students of the Word, open to learning and relearning who God is. This humility allows us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and helps prevent stagnation in our spiritual lives. Continuously engaging with Scripture and seeking deeper understanding can lead to profound personal growth and a more vibrant faith. [01:10:17]
Proverbs 18:15: "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
Reflection: What is one area of your understanding of God that you feel needs deeper exploration? How can you actively pursue this learning?
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Day 5: Correcting Misconceptions About God
Misconceptions about God can lead to significant consequences, including loss of faith, as illustrated by the story of the atheist who turned away from faith due to hurt and misunderstanding about God’s nature. It’s crucial to address and rectify wrong views of God within our communities, ensuring that our collective understanding is as accurate and biblically grounded as possible. [01:11:21]
Job 42:5-6: "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
Reflection: Think of a common misconception about God that you've encountered. How can you help others see a more accurate picture of God's nature?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When you picture God, what exactly was he doing? Was he sitting on a throne, was he judging from a throne? What was he standing, maybe even leaning in to make sure he hears and knows what's going on with you, ready to pounce into action? Is he walking, is he watching, is he ignoring? What does he look like?" [50:17]
2. "Does he say, 'I am God, I am so disappointed in you,' or does he say, 'I love you more than you can ever imagine'? Does he say, 'Now what was your name?' What does God say when he speaks to you?" [53:59]
3. "We have some guests with us today and we just want to make sure that we say welcome. We are so glad you're here and with us. We're actually beginning a new series this Sunday called 'Our Foundation'. We're going to look at very foundational basic principles of which we build our faith, of which we build this church." [45:06]
4. "When he's still a long way off, his father saw him coming, filled with love and compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. You know the story, he's gone on his inheritance, he's gone off and done all kinds of things, and now he's humbly come back home after he just messed up his life, and the father runs to him, embraces him." [01:07:54]
### Quotes for Members
1. "I want to give you three scriptures where God describes himself. If you want to know who God is, let's ask God. The first one is a dialogue with Moses in Exodus chapter 33 and 13, Moses says to God, 'If you're pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you.' This is that famous passage where he says, 'Show me your glory,' and God allowed it by putting him in the cleft of the rock." [58:27]
2. "God begins in verse 34 saying, 'Yahweh, the Lord, the God of compassion and mercy.' Is that the first word you would have used to describe God? Honestly, sincerely, seriously, is that the first word you would have used to describe God? A God of compassion, a God who deeply cares when things go wrong, when I go wrong, he's a God who cares deeply." [01:00:12]
3. "God is slow to anger and sometimes because, well, we read about your anger. Does God get angry? Yes. What kind of a God is that? Because you never have, right parents? You never ever ever became angry at your kids. You did, did you not love them? See, parents are just smiling and laughing; they understand the concept." [01:02:39]
4. "Let me show you God, let me show you who God is," Jesus replied. "Have you been with you, have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? But the one who has seen me has seen the Father." One of the best ways to understand completely who God is, is as he says in John chapter 1, he became flesh." [01:05:07]
5. "Keep diving in, keep learning. Thrilled to let you know this morning that as we stand and sing this song, one is going to come and be baptized into Christ. She's ready to, as she's learned about God, give her life to God. But for the rest of you, one of our shepherds will be down here at the front, there'll be others in the back if you have some things in your heart you'd like to pray about." [01:11:21]
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